Dover Castle in England

Known as the "Key to England", Dover Castle has 2,000 years of history contained within its walls, including a Roman lighthouse, a Saxon church and a Norman keep. Rising over 400 feet above the port town, Dover Castle is famous for the Great Tower, which was built by Henry II in the twelfth century.



The Great Tower

In 2009, English Heritage unveiled a brand new look for the Great Tower, presenting it in how it would look in the twelfth century. At each corner of the Keep lies a buttress turret, and mid-way along each wall is a pilaster buttress. Four storeys high, the Keep comprises a basement, first floor, and a second floor that spans two storeys, the upper level of which is a mural gallery that can be seen today at the end of the Great Armour Hall. The second storey provided the royal accommodation, and the first floor, based on a similar plan to the second, contained rooms with a much less elaborate décor. All floors were connected by staircases set in the north and south corner turrets.

Providing the entry staircase, and two chapels, is the magnificent forebuilding. It is interesting to note the décor of the chapels - the lower chapel of a Gothic style, and the upper chapel late Norman and richly decorated. From outside of the Keep, the significance of the three-towered forebuilding can be fully appreciated, as it can be seen travelling along the eastern wall of the Keep and turning at the corner of the southern wall. It was around this stronghold that the concentric castle was developed and work was completed mid-13th century. The original buildings of the inner bailey are now largely ruinous, the most impressive of those representing the Great Hall and dates from the time of Henry III. Three blocked doorways are easily identifiable. However, many of the in tact buildings represent barracks, erected in the mid 18th century to house an enlarged garrison.

The Roman Lighthouse

Also called Pharos, it is one of a pair constructed during the reign of Emperor Claudius in AD 46 on the headland flanking either side of the major Roman port of Dubris. The lighthouse survives within Dover Castle and comprises an octagonal stepped tower approximately 19 metres and four storeys high. The fourth storey was reconstructed between 1415 and 1437 when the lighthouse had been adapted for use as a belfry to the church of St Mary-in-Castro. The original design of the top of the lighthouse has been destroyed by these alterations, making its functionality unclear. It is thought that both lighthouses were used during fine weather as sea-marks in guiding vessels into the harbour. At night this role would have augmented by fire-lit braziers situated at the top of the lighthouse. The lighthouse may have also been used as a smoke beacon during certain weather and visibility conditions. Another possible role is as a signal tower. Medieval and later alterations within the immediate locality of the lighthouse have removed any possible evidence of structures associated with the running of the lighthouse. Changes to the lighthouse took place in 1582 when it was converted into a gunpowder magazine.

St Mary-in-Castro

This Saxon church was built on the Castle Hill in the 10th century. The church of St Mary in Castro as it stands today is a much restored example of a Saxon church dating from around 1000 AD. It is surrounded by a large late Saxon cemetery, and their is some evidence to suggest that this was also the site of a church built in the seventh century.

An Early English vault was inserted into the chancel, probably at the end of the twelfth century. In addition the altar recess at the south east corner of the nave probably dates from this period. In 1226 Henry III gave instructions that the church be repaired. In 1247 Henry ordered three altars to be built and dedicated to St. Edmund, St. Adrian and St. Edward. In additon images of these saints and of St. John the Evangelist were to be made. In 1252 three bells were cast at Canterbury to be hung in the tower. The Roman Lighthouse was used as a bell tower and was connected to the church via a short passage.

At some time between 1324 and 1334 the church was repainted by a painter named John of Maidstone. Two new bells were cast in 1345, which weighed 4266 and 1078 pounds each. By the late 17th century, the church was no longer being used for services and was gradually converted in a storehouse. In 1860 work was started to restore the building into a church.

Admission Prices

Adult: £13.40

Children: £6.70

Concession: £11.40

Family Ticket: £33.50

Opening Times

1 Apr-31 Jul 10am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1-31 Aug 9.30am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1-30 Sep 10am-6pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Oct-1 Nov, daily 10am-5pm
2 Nov-31 Jan 10am-4pm Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
1 Feb-31 Mar 10am-4pm Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, & Sun.
24-26 Dec and 1 Jan CLOSED

Parking: within castle, 100m from keep. Disabled visitors may use Palace Green car park next to keep to avoid steep path from Constable's Tower and cobbled drawbridge. Mobility scooters are available and should be requested in advance.


Map to Dover Castle


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Links

Medieval Royal Palace at Dover Castle to re-open

My trip to Dover Castle - by Frozen Time

Dover Castle conference reveals insights into medieval landmark

Where to see the Staffordshire Hoard

Those interested in getting an early glimpse of the Staffordshire Hoard can do so until October 13th.

A small exhibition of some of the key artefacts is now on display at the Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery. Almost 1,000 people arrived to see the Anglo-Saxon treasures within the first hour of the opening day of the exhibition.

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is open Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm (on Fridays it opens at 10:30 am) and on Sunday from 12:30 to 5 pm. The museum is warning people that it may close the queue of visitors to the Staffordshire Hoard before 5:00 if the numbers are too large. Admission to the museum is free

The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is located at Chamberlain Square. This is within walking distance of the main railway station of Birmingham, the New Street Station. See the map for details:


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After October 13th, the exhibition will be closed and the artefacts moved the British Museum for further research. Until the Staffordshire Hoard is appraised and sold, there will be no more public showings of the collection.